Play a Little

When was the last time you took time to play? As a mom, I find myself lucky to be surrounded by the energy of my boys that naturally brings play to the forefront. But I feel like as grown ups, we truly forget the joy that comes when you play and do it without inhibition.

I feel lucky that my artwork gives me a perfect landscape for play. When I remember not to take myself too seriously and to truly play, new pathways emerge.

I recently saw a call for works on paper from The Plastic Club and decided why not play a little. I don’t normally work on paper. How might I express differently on paper than on the canvas? How might I play with the paper? I ended up using tape to lay lines over my work. I had fun learning how to tear the tape off and use the tearing process to discover and present other things in the piece. I didn’t follow rules and I didn’t attempt to create something that was like other things I make. I focused much more on just playing with the tools I had chosen. Paper, tape and different types and textures of acrylic paint.

I didn’t make just one piece, albeit the call is for only one. I fell down a rabbit hole of sorts playing with piece after piece on paper. All that said, I have some advice for you. Take some time to play. You might not have time everyday but when you can find it, carve it out. Maybe it is a board game, maybe it is a new recipe you modify with different ingredients, maybe it is getting back out the sketch pad sitting in your drawer. Whatever it is, do it for you. I guarantee you will learn new things about yourself when you take the time to return to play. You might even discover a new passion you never knew you had.